Tauern Cycle Trail – Questions and Answers

Tips for a tour on the Tauern Cycle Trail

The Tauern Cycle Trail offers countless possibilities to discover SalzburgerLand from the saddle. There may be many questions when planning such a cycling adventure: But what suits me? Is the Tauern Cycle Trail also suitable for families? Do you have to bring your own bike? Are there on the way possibilities for repair? But here, too, we will not leave you out in the rain and have therefore compiled here the most important and frequently asked questions and answers.

Tauern Cycle Trail Circuit or Krimml to Passau?

The “classic” Tauern Cycle Trail Krimml to Passau leads from the Krimmler waterfalls, mostly along the Salzach, to Salzburg and further downstream to the “Salzach – Inn – mouth”. The last stage leads along the Inn to Passau. All in all, you can cycle 310km.

The Tauern Cycle Trail Circuit starts at the Krimmler waterfalls. Up until Salzburg, cyclists travel downstream on the same route along the river Salzach. From here on, the “circuit” runs along the Saalach via Bad Reichenhall, Lofer and Saalfelden to Zell am See – without any large climbs. From Zell am See the Pinzgauer local railway brings cyclists back to Krimml. Since it is a circular route, the starting point can be chosen freely, for example in Salzburg or Zell am See. Doing the round trip in a counterclockwise direction is recommended to make the two slopes in the Salzach Valley “more pleasant”. The length of the Tauern Cycle Trail Circuit is a total of 270 kilometres.

Is the Tauern Cycle Trail also suitable for children?

Yes. Above all, the great number of (natural) attractions and bathing lakes along the route provides plenty of variety. For the partial route between Werfen and Golling (17km) – here the cycle trail partly still runs along the main road due to the narrowness of the valley – you can jump on the train which runs parallel to it. Or you can choose the route between Bruck / Zell am See and Salzburg through the Saalach valley.

Where can I book tour packages for the Tauern Cycle Trail?

Almost all large cycle tour organisers have the Tauern Cycle Trail in their programmes. A package offers many advantages, such as having your accommodation pre-booked.

Is Luggage Transport possible?

The Tauern Cycle Trail packages from the cycle tour organisers (see above) offer many advantages such as luggage transport from accommodation to accommodation.

For individual planning, luggage transport can be arranged with your respective host. 13 cycling-friendly companies on the Tauern Cycle Trail offer luggage transport at a fixed price of EUR 12.00 per piece of luggage to the next accommodation (prerequisite: at least two pieces of luggage and notification of the next accommodation by the guest on the eve of checkout). These 13 companies are marked separately in the free Tauern Cycle Trail Folder. Here you can download the Tauern Cycle Trail Folder in pdf format (german) with all cycle-friendly companies.

Should I pre-book accommodation?

It is recommended to book your first accommodation as soon as your arrival day is fixed.If you only reserve your accommodation on the same day, you can be on the road, depending on your desire, mood and the weather.As a rule, a sufficient number of free rooms are still available.Only in the high season might it be “scarce”, for example, during the Salzburg Festival season in the City of Salzburg in the middle of July / August – in this case we suggest booking a room in advance.

In the early afternoon (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.), think about how far you want to cycle that day and call the accommodation of your choice or the tourist office in the next town.The tourist office usually has a good overview of accommodation still available in that town. This way, you can enjoy the rest of your day’s cycling!

Cycle-friendly companies and all tourism associations along the route are listed in the Tauern Cycle Trail Folder (german) which can be ordered free.

Where do I find Bike Rental and Repair Facilities?

In the Tour guide you will find all these shown per stage on the map. In almost all regions along the Tauern Cycle Trail you can also rent E-Bikes, as well as in the majority of packages from the cycle tour organisers (see above list).

Can I take my bike along on the train? Is there a return transfer from Passau to Krimml?